712 
FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS. 
same amount of nitrogen. They call the substance provision¬ 
ally lactoproteine . There appears to be but a small quantity 
of this substance present in milk, but, it may be precipitated 
by the careful addition of acid nitrate of mercury. 
Electricity applied for the Reduction of Tu¬ 
mours. —The foreign correspondent of the Chemical News 
states, that M. Nelaton has lately applied voltaic electricity 
to the reduction of tumours of various kinds, more especially 
of polypus in the nose. The platinum electrodes of a small 
battery are inserted in the tumour, which gradually gives 
way under the decomposing action of the current, coagulation 
taking place at the positive pole; liquefaction at the negative. 
The pain caused by the operation is comparatively slight, 
and six applications of the powerful agent were sufficient 
to destroy a polypus that had resisted all endeavours to 
remove it. 
Tincture of the Common Buttercup a Vesicant.— 
The same authority informs us that M. Pavesi, of Mortara, 
has lately been experimenting on the vesicating properties of 
an alcoholic tincture of the fresh leaves, stalks, and flowers of 
the common buttercup. Every one knows, says M. Pavesi, that 
this very neglected plant contains an acrid juice, but I am not 
aware that it has ever been ulilised up to the present time. The 
tincture preserves its epispastic qualities for a long time, and 
is much cheaper, of course, than cantharides, and besides has 
no action on the urinary organs. A weak solution forms an 
excellent rubefacient. 
Action of Aconitia. —Aconita, says M. E. Hoilot, has 
the same physiological properties as the root of the plant. 
The irritant action of aconite, usuallv attributed to an acrid 
principle, belongs to aconitia. Its action is exerted on the 
mucous membranes. 
The absorption of aconitia by the intestinal canal is more 
rapid than is that of curara and strychnia by the same tissue, 
and this explains the rapidity of the death of animals to whom 
even small doses of aconitia have been given. 
Aconitia acts on the nervous centres, and successively on 
the bulb, the spinal marrow, and the brain. 
The symptoms manifest themselves in the following order; 
suspension of respiration, of general sensibility, of reflex 
sensibility, and of voluntary movements. 
Aconitia disturbs the action of the heart by acting on its 
nervous tissues. 
